Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run to 38 games with a 3-0 victory over Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey tie at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid marked Zinedine Zidane’s first anniversary as manager with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sevilla in the first leg of their King’s Cup last 16 tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
James Rodriguez opened the scoring for Real with a powerful strike from outside the box before Raphael Varane fired home a Toni Kroos corner to double the lead.
James, who has been linked with a possible move away from the Spanish giants, added his second — Real’s third — from the penalty spot before receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted 10 minutes before the end.
It is a second leg which now appears a formality amid a hectic schedule that could see Real play 21 times in 11 weeks.
Madrid started a second consecutive home game without any of their first-choice front three with Karim Benzema on the substitutes’ bench, Ronaldo rested and Gareth Bale sidelined with a long-term ankle injury.
Real have now gone a club record 38 games unbeaten in all competitions under Zidane, and have only lost twice in his 53 games in charge. Madrid are one short of equalling a best-ever run by a La Liga team.